HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 7, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
Meeting Room.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Donald B.
Stewart; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Thomas Licciardello; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant
Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Executive Session to
discuss Pending Litigation and Negotiations with Non-union employees. Vote approved 5-0.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Donald
Stewart yes; James Xenakis yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Thomas Licciardello, yes, and Rosemary Smedile
yes. Vote approved 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the minutes of October 18,
2005, Executive Session as written and Open Session as written. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
The Board recognized Ellen Wood, a resident of North Andover, with a Special Citation congratulating her
on celebrating her 100th Birthday on November 19, 2005.
The Board recognized Thomas J. Casale for his 32 years of dedicated service to the Town as a
Firefighter and Lieutenant for the North Andover Fire Department.
New Business Recognition
The Board presented a Certificate of Appreciation to B-Sporty of 585 Chickering Road for opening a new
business in town.
Appointments
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the appointment of Eugene
G. Ruane as Municipal Hearing Officer pursuant to MGL, Chapter 148A. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the appointments of Barbara
Hedstrom, Wendy Wadsworth and Paul Gregoire to the Poet Laureate Selection Committee. Vote
approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the appointment of Gerald
Brown, Inspector of Buildings to the position of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator. Vote
approved 5-0.
Special recognition to the Town Manager, Mark Rees for having completed running in the New York city
Marathon 26.2 miles.
Acceptance of Donations
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to accept the donation in the amount of
$300.00 from Edmand and Nancy Leland to the Fire Department towards fire prevention programs. Vote
approved 5-0.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request from the North
Andover Festival Committee and Police Association to hold the Annual Christmas Holiday Parade on
Saturday, November 26, 2005 from 1:00—3:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes November 7, 2005 2
Town Accountant's Quarterly Report
Lyne Savage, Town Accountant reviewed the Budget Status Report for the revenue and expenses for the
first quarter ending September 30, 2005. The revenue collections are 25.01% staying steady with prior
year trends. Motor vehicle collections are at 10.44% at this point in the year. Overall, the total revenue
collected of 22.59% is in line with where we should be at this point in the fiscal year. The percentage of
revenue collected in both Sewer(revenue 31.2% /expenses 24.3% and Water(revenue 24.2%/
expenses 20.1%) are running higher then the expenditure percentage. The Steven Estate is doing very
well and no problems at this point in the fiscal year.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Licensing. Vote approved
4-0-1. James Xenakis abstained.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the Common Victualler
License to Zest Foods, Inc. at 554 Turnpike Street. Vote approved 4-0-1. James Xenakis abstained.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the requests from Cynthia
Rostiac, Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street for the following One-day licenses. Vote approved 5-0.
1. The Mother Connection, Laura Gifford, Thurs. Nov. 10, 2005, 6:30-8:00 pm. Beer&Wine Bar
2. Gillespie Party, Jeanne Scarpa, Fri. Nov. 11, 2005, 7:00-12:00 midnight, Beer&Wine Bar
3. Duca Rehearsal Dinner, Fri. Nov. 18, 2005, 7:30-11:30 pm., Full Liquor Bar
4. Sanchez Christening, Sun. Nov. 27, 2005, 1:30-4:30 pm., Full Liquor Bar
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the requests from
Kathleen Makiver, Merrimack College, Turnpike Street for the following One-day Beer&Wine Licenses.
Vote approved 5-0.
1. Post Game Hockey Reception held from 9:00-11:00 pm at the Blue Line Club in the Volpe Center
on the following dates: 12/3/05, 1/7/06, 1/14/06, 2/3/06, 2/11/06, 3/3/06.
2. The Friends of Merrimack College Christmas Party, held in Cascia Hall on December 7, 2005
from 6:00-9:00 pm.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of Licensing. Vote
approved 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to open the Public Hearing. Vote
approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve a pole petition for Baldwin
Street—joint petition from Massachusetts Electric&Verizon New England — Plan B53/490—Relocate
Pole P3497. Vote approved 5-0.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to close the Public Hearing. Vote
approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Preparation for December 5, 2005 Annual Town Meeting
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to hold the Town Warrant open until
9:00 pm on November 7, 2005. Vote approved 5-0.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place on the warrant Article B,
Appropriations/Transfers to Stabilization Fund. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes November 7, 2005 3
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to place on the warrant Article C,
Overlay Transfer$100K. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to place on the warrant Article D,
Prior Year Bills. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to place on the warrant Article E,
Establish Revolving Fund for School facility rental income—Accept Ch 71 71E. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to place on the warrant Article F,
Establish Enterprise Fund for Ambulance Service. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to place on the warrant Article H,
Funding for Design/Engineering Work— Water Tank Replacement- Option 2. Vote approved 5-0.
Article O, Adopt 40R Overlay for 1600 Osgood Street, &Article1Adopt Commercial Overlay for
1600 Osgood Street_ The Board of Selectmen postponed the Public Hearing on the Chapter 40R
Application from next week to the first week in January. The rezoning effort will not be considered at the
December 5, 2005, Special Town Meeting. All Town Officials, Town Land Use Boards and Ozzy
Properties have been working together to make sure that the process of expediting this 40R project is
handled with expertise. Everyone involved has agreed that this project needs more preparation before it
is presented to a Town Meeting. The Board will hold a Special Town Meeting dedicated to this
redevelopment plan and hopes to reschedule this meeting for late January or early February 2006.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to place on the warrant Article R,
Acquisition of Real Property 605 Osgood Street. Vote approved 5-0.
Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to place on the warrant Article U,
Stevens Estate Budget Transfers. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to let the Chair at her discretion appoint
a sub-committee to order the warrant articles. Vote approved 5-0.
Light Fixtures in Town Commons Area
Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli reviewed the type of light fixtures chosen for the Town Common
Area. The choice was a Holophane light pole named "The North Yorkshire" model augmented by West
Liberty Cast Aluminum cross-arm. The light fixture would be a teardrop style with a 150-watt high-
pressure sodium bulb. National Grid (formerly Mass Electric) said that the selection would not be covered
under their rate structure. Thus, although the lights would be purchased and installed under the project,
the fixtures would then be owned and maintained by the Town of North Andover.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to forward the light fixtures onto the Old
Center Historic District Commission. Vote approved 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
FY07 Budget Policy Statement
The Town Manager gave a summary of his proposed FY07 Budget Policy Statement for FY07.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adopt the Town Manager's
Proposed FY07 Budget Policy Statement. Vote approved 5-0.
Propose Middleton Energy Plant
The Town was recently informed that a private company was seeking permits from the Town of Middleton
for the construction of a peak electricity-generating power plant on the North Andover-Middleton town line
accessible through Sharpners Pond Road in North Andover. Middleton would receive annual revenues
from the lease of the land, and property taxes, yet the town of North Andover would only receive negative
impacts from this project.
Board of Selectmen Minutes November 7, 2005 4
Several residents from the Sharpners Pond Road area opposed construction in this location stating the
negative impacts that this type of industrial facility would have on their neighborhood.
Chairman Smedile asked the Town Manager to contact Attorney Kenneth Kimmell, an environmental
expert to review this matter with Community Development Director Curt Bellevance.
Winter Parking Regulations
Several residents from elderly housing units of Bingham Way and O'Connor Heights were present at the
meeting. Joanne Comerford, Executive Director of the North Andover Housing Authority and residents
requested access to odd/even parking during the months of the off-street parking ban. When the
complexes were built, few parking spaces were incorporated into the plans. Many of the elderly are living
longer and still own and operate vehicles and it is very inconvenient to park far from their home during
winter months when the streets and sidewalks are slippery.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adopt the Winter Parking Ban as
recommended by the Police Department and to find a solution to create more parking for the elderly
residents of Bingham Way and O'Connor Heights. Vote approved 5-0.
Request to MA Highway Department to reduce speed limits on Waverly Rd., Sutton St. and Salem St
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to submit a formal request to the State
asking for the speed change on Waverly Rd, Sutton St, and Salem St. Vote approved 5-0.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
Per the attached letter from the GLSD, they will be conducting maintenance on a pressured sewer
main in the vicinity of Riverview Street. This large main is used to transport sewerage from the
riverside pumping station to the treatment plant.
The Recreation Department will once again be sponsoring public skating at Brooks School every
Sunday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning November 6th, 2005.
The Town recently signed two large utility improvement contracts. The first of$220,000 will be for the
3rd and final phase of the Sutton Hill High Serve Area project to improve water pressure to that area
and the second contract for$402,000 will replace aging water mains on Academy Road, Wood Ave,
and parts of Johnson and Chestnut Street. New water main will be extended on Forest Street.
Selectmen Smedile, Chief Dolan, Deputy Chief Martineau, Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli and I
attended a Faneuil Hall Ceremony where Unit 3 of the North Andover Fire Department was
recognized as a meritorious group Fire Fighters of the Year.
The Stevens Memorial Library will be expanding its operating hours to Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. from
November to May
Please note that in addition to the November 21, 2005 Selectmen's meeting, the Selectmen will also
be meeting on November 14,2005.
ADJOURNMENT:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board